My thoughts on Feather style shavettes vs traditional straights.. noobs perspective
I wanted to throw out there my experience using my CJB Kamasori VS. my Vintage straight.
Right off the bat I will say the shorter feather blade is way easier for getting in the tough spots. The rigidity of the CJB gives better feedback but that same rigidity also makes it easier to cut yourself. Feather blades are frick'n sharp! I can't imagine that you could ever hone and strop a straight and get it as sharp as a Feather blade or even a good DE blade.
Mine being the Japanese style, has better visibility while shaving and also better comfort in the hand.
I know a lot of people talk about cost of the Feather blades but really when you consider what a reasonably priced strop, set of hones ( or paying for a hone) and pastes, buying the Feather blades is still way cheaper. I paid $15 for 20 Feather pro blades, so even if I change it out once a week, thats only $39 a year for blades. My first blade has six shaves on it and it still feels new. To me, Shavettes have zero sex appeal. It looks like something you would find sitting on the counter at Supercuts.Even the expensive wood handled models still will never have the zing of even the cheapest Dovo or Boker straight.
Off subject for someone looking to get into SR shaving, availablility is another thing to consider when considering what type of straight razor to get. Right now the chances of finding a new traditional straight razor is next to nil. Maybe the holiday season has rendered the manufactures in a hole that they can't get out of. About the only traditional straight razor I could find were the Hart Steel's @ $280 each and used Vintage which, IMO can be real sketchy unless you know or have good references of who its coming from. I gambled on buying my used SR of Ebay and got lucky (and a deal).
So, until the supply chain on SR's catches up and if you want new, I would have to say go with a good shavette.
From a noob's perspective, I would advise starting with a Shavette until you find out if SR's are your thing. My guess is there are thousands of beautiful, expensive traditional SR's lying in bathroom drawers rusting away.
Personally I think everyone who is (or wants to be) a shaving enthusiast should have both. Well actually I would kick in a good DE also because I personally like my DE the best. Its faster, cheaper, I can travel with it and gives me the best shave of the three.
So wrapping this up, I give the cost and perfomance win to the Shavette. If your looking for sex appeal, like honing, stropping and maintaining a razor, the traditional SR is for you.